New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-06
ADUlyrlGEs or WoRKING BY TIE HoUR.
TIE LABOR PROBLEM SAID TO BE SOLVED II
MASSACHUSETTS

TIE LABOR PROBLEM SAID TO BE SOLVED II
MASSACHUSETTS.
BOsTov, Feb. l>peciau.-Master builders and
contractors in Massachusetts have taken n decided
stand against submitting TO the dicaon OF labor or
CARNATIONS They do not propose TO antagonize the
Knights of Labor. but do express determination TO
cary on their business without being hampered by
absurd rules and regulations formulated by
irresponsible who assume leadership among The
mechanics OF Boston and other cities III inns Siste
The eight hour agitation which was started with n
great flourish about year ago and which caused a
good deal OF annoyance to contractors and not niue
to those who struck for shorter hours has subsdcd
This problem has been solved IL Is believed IN SANS
factory and reasonable manner which will leave the
question of hours optional 10 large degree with the
workmen. who will be pad by the hour, so tnat inc
man who il ambitious earn large wages VIII work
longer hours than the mar Who Is less AMBITIOUS OF
industrious. Dr,-, a..
citation speaking of the new hour system SAYS: pur
association has taken tue lead in this matter simply
because we iet that it was time soms such ino'eiheh,
for protection should be made. Since we adopt'u
our code OF working principles We have received many
warm words OF commentator Tor them IRON people
who have made this labor question STUDY. 'oiohel
Carol d. Wright has said he believes that IN hxing
the for the wOrkmcn by the hour instead
OF bv the day we have struck jhc key note OF what
will finally the solution OF the labor question ana
that although may not succeed imnedlat"iy, II
will eventually be the principle on winch all iaoor
will be paid We believe that is the only mcthon
of payment that will give absolute justice between
emp over and employees in our business. The present
standard of time is a day. Well, what does day
mean and can YOU assign to II ven length OF tline
In our business you certainly cannot for III the sum
mer a man can work twelve or fourteen hours. WINE
IN winter he you'd have hard work to get IN eight
but when You say hour you have definite length
OF time-sixty minutes-and there can DO no mistake
about it.
Let Inc illustrate how it works II has become the
custom 10 divide the day into halves and quarters.
five hours in the forenoon from o'clock and hve
hours in the afternoon from to q, constituting day
II doesn't get to work until 1870 he VIII get,
under the present arrangement. but threequarters OF
n DAVIS pav and so since he has inducemcnt to go
to work until halt past nine he will loaf around until
then and his time IL lost both TO and 10 himself
On the other hand, if he is paid BY the hour and II
happens that he doesn't round perhaps through no
to work and earn all that he is entitled to- And the
will apply to stormy weatt er when, II 1t comes
on to rain at 10 o'clock the workmen gets out one
quarter of days pay, but If the rain comes at
O'clock he gets halt days pay, the latter dong an
Injustice to us the former does to the workmen.
We think said that the hour system OF payment
is the farest and BEST and that the workm-n will come
to look at it in that light themselves"
The code of principles regulations which Will go into
effect next Apr l. follows: Work to be paid for by
the hour at price agreed upon between the employer
and individual wOTkmcn the Insertion OF clause IN con
relieving contractors from responsibility Tor re
lays In OF a strike the condemnation as unfair and
charge OF other worknen for or the employment
yment OF certain wOrkfnen or the intlindI
ton of workmen by refusing to work with them ana
threatening prevent their getting employment unless
they Join certain societies the recognition OF the gt OF
wOrkmen in the employ OF contractor 10 present
grievances through spokesman, but AT the same uc
the that person outside the employment OF
the said contractors will be allowed TO represent them